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Despite the name, Iceland is not cold in every way. As a rocky island sculpted by volcanism and covered in ice, Iceland is riddled with mineral springs and hot springs in particular. Hot mineral water bathing is one of Iceland's major attractions, and that same hot water is also used to heat buildings and provide Iceland with electricity.

Types

Mineral springs in Iceland can be divided into two general categories. The first is the normal, natural spring, which is simply where water from an aquifer bubbles up to the surface. The second are hot springs, with water heated by Iceland's characteristic geothermic activity. Both feature some mineral content, drawn from the rock through which the water passes.

Benefits

Water from both hot and cold mineral springs in Iceland is put to three different uses. Water from natural, cold springs is sometimes bottled and sold, just as it is elsewhere in the world. Hot mineral water, on the other hand, is used for both bathing and as a heat source for geothermal power. In some cases, hot mineral water is used for both. The mineral-rich water leftover from Grindavik's Svartsengi Power Station is sent to the famous Blue Lagoon.

Features

Some hot mineral springs in Iceland have naturally occurring pools and are ready for bathing as is, but more often the water is piped or pumped into a pool. Some of these pools are sculpted to have an almost natural look to them, as the Blue Lagoon does. Others are known as "thermal swimming pools," as they are essentially concrete and tile swimming pools kept filled with hot mineral water.

Size

Iceland is home to the fastest-flowing hot mineral spring in Europe, Deildartunguhver. Approximately 47.5 gallons of water heated to 206.6 degrees F flows out of the spring every second.

Potential

The Blue Lagoon is not only Iceland's most famous hot springs, but it is also thought to have certain medicinal properties. In particular, bathing in the pool is thought to be beneficial for sufferers of psoriasis, and the Blue Lagoon opened a clinic for psoriasis treatment in 2005.